SV: 7-17 "Sleeper" Review

Can I start by saying that I hate filler episodes so close to the end of the season. Yes, the episode set up that Clark will have to figure out how to time travel to stop Brainiac but really the setup was ridiculously drawn out. I'm not too fond of Jimmy and of Chloe and Jimmy together so the episode was rather long although I really like Aaron Ashmore.

Once again, I loved Lex. MR brought his A game again. I've said it before but I love when Lex smirks and pretends to care.

Sadly, I didn't like Clark. His Lana obsession was in full force in this episode. Is it that hard to grasp that if Lex manages to control the Traveler or if Brainiac is able to control Kara/change the past, the fate of the world hangs in the balance? It's really not All. About. Lana.


Metropolis Nightclub: Drinks are being served; pretty people are talking and dancing in the brightest lit nightclub ever. Pan up to the air duct; through tunnel after tunnel (you know, I liked this best with Clark crawling around in "Mortal"). The tunnel sequence is so l o n g, the tunnels should be added to the opening credits. Yeah. Finally, a spy guy in a black mask crawls in the tunnel to a grate. He opens it and drops into a hallway just as a man in a suit and overcoat passes by. Spy-guy sneaks up and tasers the man. He takes the man’s briefcase and reveals a retinal scan. He aims the beam at the man’s eye; opens his eye so the beam scans his retina. The briefcase is unlocked. Spy-guy downloads the contents of the man’s computer to a handheld device. Once done he gets into the elevator and presses the stop button. He unzips the black coveralls to reveal a bow tie and tux. He puts the mask and coveralls in a bag and hides the bag on the roof of the elevator. Spy-guy fixes the cuffs of his jacket over a fancy high-tech watch then presses another button. Pan up – it’s James Bond Olsen!! Yeah, that’s believable. Mr. "Lex is working with the Egyptians!" Olsen.


Fourteen hours earlier, Talon apartment: A klutz awkwardly breaks an egg; flips a pancake in a pan; accidentally knocks coffee beans to the floor; flips the pancake onto the counter; squeezes an orange; and arranges a cut strawberry on a plate with other fruit. Burnt toast pops. The klutz is Jimmy (again!). Chloe comes out of the bedroom. Jimmy offers her some O.J. Chloe replies that she has to go. Jimmy says that Chloe can’t start the morning without the "Wholesome Olsen". Can this episode get anymore cheesy? Jimmy puts an egg white omelet and multi-grain pancakes on the table. He says that this stuff can’t be reheated. It’s never as good the second time around. Why do the Chimmy and Clana relationships come to mind? Chloe agrees then apologizes for coming home late the night before.


Jimmy says that he’s been trying to put the spark back in their relationship. Chloe replies that Jimmy doesn’t think that she’s been trying. She adds that it’ll take time to breathe the embers back to life. Why bother? Jimmy states that they could do a cartwheel through a fountain of gasoline and come up perfectly fine. He wonders if Chloe is feeling this. Chloe replies that after what happened to Lana she’s been helping at the Isis Foundation, managing the meteor infected, contacting Lana’s clients and moving her stuff to the office... She says that she’ll take Jimmy out for lunch to make it up to him. Jimmy agrees and Chloe leaves.

Outside the apartment, infrared tracks Jimmy’s movements. It’s a woman holding binoculars.


At Isis: Chloe types away on one of the computers. Clark walks in. He wonders why there are boxes everywhere. Chloe explains that now that she’s house-sitting Isis, Oliver thought it would be a good place to store his troop’s equipment. Okay, what about the clock tower? Chloe quips that having a gang of superheroes is great in theory but no one considers the shipping costs. Chloe asks if Clark was successful in getting the Veritas keys from Lex. Clark, always conscious of the bigger picture, replies that he spent the night with Lana. Chloe reminds Clark that if Lex gets his hands on Veritas, he could control Clark. Clark insists that the only thing important right now is Lana. Shut up, Clark. You are a moron and so are the writers for thinking the world revolves around Lana. Chloe tries again. She says that if Lex finds out Clark’s the Traveler it’s game over. There is no saving Lana, no saving the day, hello Apocalypse. Clark repeats that he doesn’t care about Lex. Yeah, yeah, we know. What about the Earth though? Chloe says that Lana is alive and they are not giving up on her. Clark asks why they (they?! You mean Chloe) haven’t found Brainiac. Chloe loses patience. She asks if Clark believes that breaking national security laws is her idea of fun. Clark apologizes. He realizes that Chloe cares about Lana as much as he does. Clark, no one has Lana-tunnel-vision as badly as you (or Al and Miles)!

Chloe says that they (she!) are running out of ground to cover. Clark thinks that maybe they need to look to the sky. Oh? Are you going to try to fly? Clark thinks that a NASA caliber satellite may have picked up Kara and Brainiac’s trail when they left the DP. Chloe thinks it’s possible that the velocity of their flight created an ionic displacement in the upper atmosphere. Say what? Who comes up with this stuff? Chloe thinks that hacking into government satellites is light years out of her league. Clark believes that she can do it. Chloe says she’ll try. Clark says he wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t their last hope. Chloe suggests that Clark check Swann’s journal for any transmissions from Jor-El regarding Brainiac.


Talon: Jimmy plays Doom(?) on his handheld. He goes for the milk and bumps hands with a brunette. The brunette says that she knew there were a few gentlemen left in this town. She sweet talks Jimmy. She says his hands are perfect for hacking the NSA mainframe. Jimmy looks confused. The brunette takes out a shield. She’s Special Agent Vanessa Webber from the Department of Domestic Security. She adds that she’s been watching Jimmy. Jimmy is still confused. She explains that a few months ago, Jimmy infiltrated a classified government firewall - Starhawk. She says that it took them some time but they traced the federal offence to Jimmy’s computer. Jimmy starts to deny that he did anything, then stops. Jimmy says that he’s not their James Bond. He went to a Halloween party dressed as James Bond and everyone mistook him for the maitre d’. Vanessa replies that Jimmy is not the target. She shows Jimmy pictures of Chloe. Vanessa says they believe that Chloe is working for a terrorist sleeper cell. Jimmy insists that Chloe is not dangerous. Vanessa says that it starts as a few long days at work, missed dates, mysterious phone calls. Chloe’s compromised government-run power grids, cell towers, DMV records. Jimmy suggests Vanessa talk to Chloe. Vanessa says that if they tip their hand they’ll never get to know Chloe’s end game. Jimmy has Chloe’s trust and unless he wants to see her in the Federal pen, it’s up to him to figure out what she’s up to. Vanessa gives Jimmy a briefcase full of James Bond equipment. Dun, dun, dun.

Isis Foundation: Jimmy comes in to find Chloe putting a folder in a briefcase. She sees Jimmy and remembers lunch. Jimmy says that he sent a text message reminder. Chloe says that she had her phone on silent. Chloe apologizes that she’s been blindsided by a career shift and unpacking. Jimmy smiles. He offers to help but Chloe stops him. She lamely says that moving into Lana’s office is a private thing. She’s usually better at lying. Jimmy doesn’t look convinced. Just then Chloe’s phone rings. It’s a text from Clark: "I found something." Jimmy notes that he heard the text loud and clear. Chloe says that it’s the building manager who wants to talk about the rent... right now. Chloe takes her stuff and leads Jimmy out the door.


Luthor manor: Lex puts folders in a briefcase (What is it with briefcases in this episode?!). He looks at his passport that is in a leather case. The case is engraved. It reads "Travel Far, Son --Dad". Another minion comes in. Lex tells him to take his briefcase to the limo. He’ll be down shortly. Minion says that there’s a problem. Lex says that they’ll power through any bad weather. Zeus’ right hand couldn’t muster a storm that would keep him from Zurich. Minion replies that the FAA red-flagged Lex. He adds that he ran it up to the highest level. Lex replies that he should aim higher.


Isis Foundation: Jimmy jimmies the lock. He should have brought Lois, the door would’ve been unlocked, eh. Jimmy is amazed by his government-issued "jimmier" (whatever). He opens the doors to the Lair of Lana and sits at the computer. He installs spyware on the computers. Suddenly a bunch of windows pop up. Jimmy wonders what Chloe is up to as he stares at the screen that’s flashing a "Confidential: Authorized Access Only" message over the National Security Agency’s logo.



Talon apartment: Clark is reading Swann’s journal as Chloe walks in. Couldn’t Clark have zipped over to Isis instead of sitting in Chloe’s apartment waiting for her? Geez. He shows Chloe Swann’s book and says that she’s got to read this. Chloe reminds him that she can’t read Kryptonian. Clark says that the page wasn’t there before. The entry is dated 1989. Clark says that it sounds crazy but these are the only transmissions Jor-El sent to Earth before sending Clark. He adds that there is no way he missed a page. Clark gives Chloe the puppy-dog look. Chloe says that Clark’s greatest superpower is the ability to win her over with one look no matter how ridiculous he sounds. I believe it. Chloe asks if Clark can translate it. Clark says that Swann said that the transmissions were distorted and incomplete. Clark gives Chloe another look. Chloe says that that look kills her. Hee. Clark reads "Save Lana at Fortress". Zzzzzz... Chloe says that it’s impossible; Lana would have been barely three in 1989. Chloe wonders why Jor-El would send out an SOS for Lana. Because everything revolves around Lana, that’s why, Chloe. Clark thinks it’s time he asks Jor-El. Chloe reminds Clark that the last time he went to the Fortress Jor-El turned him into a Popsicle so he’d outlive everyone on Earth. She says that Jor-El is not exactly an ally. Clark replies that the next time he holds Lana’s hand, he want to be able to say that he did everything he could to save her. Aww. *gag*


Kent Barn: Clark opens the book with the octagonal key. As he takes the key out, Jimmy comes in. Clark hides the key. Clark says that he was on his way out. Jimmy lays on the guilt (good one, James, it always works with Clark). He says that he only had to stop for directions twice and used up half a tank of gas. Clark wants to know what’s going on. Jimmy says that he has a friend that’s keeping a really big secret from him. Clark asks how Jimmy found out about the secret. Jimmy replies that it’s hard to be around somebody with crazy skills and not think something is up. Clark is looking exceedingly uncomfortable. Jimmy says that he’s been digging and what he found is freaking him out. Clark says that he can explain. Jimmy says that the person he thought he knew isn’t who he thought she was. Clark repeats "she". Jimmy asks for one good reason to lie to someone you care about. Clark replies to protect them. He asks if Jimmy looks at his relationship with this friend, does he really need to know everything about her; or is knowing what’s truly in her heart enough to trust her. Clark, why don’t you take your own advice? Lana begged, pleaded, nagged, and tricked you into giving up your secret. She never trusted you. This show is positively infuriating. Ugh!


Fortress of Solitude: Clark yells that Jor-El mentioned Lana in his last transmission; he asks why. Clark wants Jor-El to tell him how to save her. Freeze him again, Jor-El! Suddenly Clark hears Kara’s voice. He yells for Jor-El to tell him what he’s done to Kara. Clark, Kara went off with Brainiac, remember? I’m starting to get ticked off. Kara says that Brainiac wants to kill Clark. When Clark asks where she is, Kara replies she’s back on Krypton.


At Isis, Chloe continues to try to hack into the government satellite. She hits dead end after dead end. She looks for another way into the building and comes across the Ace of Clubs Grand Opening in the penthouse of the building. Chloe leaves Clark a message informing him that she may have found a satellite that has a possible read on Brainiac. She says that while she hasn’t been able to hack in she may have found another way in. As she’s about to leave a popup appears on the screen. Chloe realizes that someone is playing Big Brother on her. After typing furiously, another popup appears on the screen. It says that the IP trace is to James Olsen at 200 North Hamilton Drive, Metropolis. Chloe wonders why Jimmy is spying on her.

At a gas station, Jimmy gets out of his car. He calls Chloe and gets her voicemail. He says that he’s screwed up, big time. He asks her to call him back. Vanessa appears. She says that if Jimmy breathes a word to Chloe they’ll both face federal treason charges. Jimmy says that he searched Chloe’s office and there is nothing suspicious going on. Vanessa says that the spyware Jimmy installed traced Chloe’s recent computer activity and Chloe has a plan that’s going down tonight. Vanessa says that she needs Jimmy to man-up. Vanessa predicts that any minute Chloe will invite Jimmy to a bar called the Ace of Clubs. She gives Jimmy a bowtie with a concealed fiber-optic camera inside so she can keep an eye on them. Jimmy asks if it’s to watch his girlfriend drink Cosmos till she finds her inner Shakira. Vanessa orders Jimmy to watch Chloe like a hawk, find out what her target is and get it before she does.


Ace of Spades: Jimmy and Chloe walk in. Jimmy says that he’s surprised that Chloe was able to pencil in a night out. Chloe answers that she’s surprised Jimmy was able to rent a tux on such short notice. Chloe’s cell phone rings and she asks Jimmy to get her a drink. Jimmy gets two glasses of champagne while Chloe texts Clark. Jimmy brings the drinks to Chloe and Chloe puts her cell on the table. Jimmy takes out a device that was concealed in his sleeve and sets it up to clone the data on Chloe’s handheld. Yep. Spy versus Spy. To distract Chloe, Jimmy puts her drink on the table and starts to dance. It’s very cute although a tad too long. They sit at the table and Jimmy suddenly remembers that he forgot to give the valet the keys. He tells Chloe that he’ll be right back and secretly grabs his device. Chloe tells him to take as much time as he needs.

Chloe heads to the computer room (that’s empty and not being guarded – on second thought maybe it’s on purpose to catch her in the act). Meanwhile, Jimmy dressed in black coveralls and a mask is crawling through the ventilation shaft. He’s following a target on his handheld. The opening sequence plays out with Jimmy getting info off the man in the suit. As Jimmy comes out of the elevator, Chloe hits the jackpot. Jimmy walks to the balcony where Vanessa is waiting for him. He hands her the device. Vanessa is not amused. She asks what this is. Jimmy smugly says that it’s what Chloe was after. He got to it before she did. Vanessa says that it’s a list of employee benefits. Ha! Go, Chloe! Jimmy is shocked. Vanessa guesses that Jimmy went to the twentieth floor and got the info off a retinal scan briefcase. Vanessa says that Chloe’s better than she thought. She adds that Chloe lured Jimmy to the most useless info on the drive. Jimmy looks impressed. Vanessa adds that Jimmy blew it now she’s taking over and doing it her way. A guy comes up behind Jimmy to escort him out.


Chloe looks up at the satellite images in awe. She sends a copy of the images to her e-mail address just as Vanessa and her henchman come in with guns drawn. Vanessa informs Chloe that she’s under arrest. Meanwhile, Jimmy tells the guy escorting him that Chloe will never talk. Suddenly Jimmy steps on the guy’s foot, then aims his cuff link at him and shoots a dart into his neck. It’s a tad unbelievable but very funny.

In the MSC computer room, Vanessa has handcuffed Chloe’s hands behind her back and sat her in a chair. She demands to know who Chloe is working for. Chloe replies that she’s not a terrorist. She’s one of the good guys. Vanessa says that good guys put their countries before their alien best friends... er, themselves. She asks who Chloe’s network contact is. When Chloe doesn’t answer, Vanessa hits her. When Chloe says that she doesn’t have one, Vanessa hits her again and again. Jimmy sneaks into the computer room. Vanessa asks why Chloe accessed energy grids where there happened to be unexplained energy surges. Vanessa asks if Chloe really thought it would go unnoticed. Vanessa asks her minion to hand her the taser. Chloe says that she’s not going to tell Vanessa anything. Vanessa asks Chloe what is more important, the secret or her life. Jimmy plugs his Doom game to the computers. All the monitors display the game. Vanessa orders her minion to turn it off. When the minion turns around, Jimmy sprays something in his face and he drops to the floor. Vanessa hits Jimmy a number of times until Jimmy finally punches her back. Vanessa falls unconscious to the floor. That was easy. Jimmy unties the bowtie, throws it on Vanessa and asks if it’s man enough for her. He then goes to check on Chloe.

Talon apartment: Chloe comes in holding a towel to her face. Jimmy suggests she go to the hospital. Chloe says that she is fine. Jimmy says that Chloe almost died; and he deserves the truth. Chloe tells him to look at his files or rather her files. Chloe adds that Jimmy stole from her. Is it stealing if Chloe stole it from someone else? Jimmy says that he was coerced by government agents. He asks if Chloe really think he was a government agent. Chloe asks if he really thought she was a spy. Jimmy says that Chloe was sitting on enough info to start a nuclear war. Chloe asks why Chloe didn’t just come to her like a normal boyfriend. Uh oh. I don’t like the sound of this. Jimmy answers that a normal boyfriend doesn’t get lied to by his girlfriend that he thinks he’s in love with. Ooh, don’t tell that to Lois, Jimmy. She’ll be disappointed. She thinks you’ve got a schoolboy crush on her. Yeah.


Chloe admits that she lied and apologizes. Jimmy asks if it’s the point where the sad song comes on and they break up again. Were they on? Jimmy says that he’s not going to make it that easy this time. Chloe says that the feds will find her and she’ll spend the rest of life making license plates. She tells Jimmy to ask whatever he wants. Jimmy chooses to kiss her instead. He asks if Chloe wants that more than she wants Clark. I pick Clark although... he’s still hung up on the witch. Jimmy it is then till Clark gets his head out of Lana’s butt. Chloe agrees. She kisses Jimmy. Jimmy says that no one is coming after them. He’s taking care of that. When Chloe asks how, Jimmy replies that he’s got his secrets and she’s got hers. They kiss again.



Zurich: A man brings Lex the Veritas box. Lex uses the keys to open the metal box only to find it empty. He realizes that it’s got a false bottom and manages to open it to reveal some sort of map with coordinates. Suddenly Lex sees the reflection of something behind him on the map. He grabs the wire before it goes around his neck. The man continues to try to choke Lex but Lex grabs the metal box and hits him. The guy tells Lex that he’s not one of them. Lex hits the guy again knocking him out and leaves with the coordinate map.

Lex’s office, Daily Planet: Lex is on the phone. He says that the guy wanted him dead. He orders the person on the other end of the phone to find out who he is and to see if he’s connected to what Lex is dealing with in Quebec. Didn’t we end up in Quebec in "Phantom"?


Jimmy opens the door to Lex’s office. He asks if Lex is busy. Lex smiles. He says that he was expecting Jimmy. Lex figures that Chloe doesn’t know how desperate Jimmy is. Lex adds that she’d never let a friend walk through burning coals for his help. Jimmy replies something inappropriate judging by Lex’s reaction. Jimmy quickly back-pedals. Lex tells him to stop. He’s cleared Chloe’s name from the suspiciously high ranking government arrest warrant. Special Agent Webber decided to drop her investigation. Jimmy thanks Lex but has to ask why Lex is helping him. Lex replies that there’s no catch and, in light of recent events *cough*killinghisfather*cough* he’d like to think of his employees as his family. Families help each other and if he ever needed something from Jimmy, he’d be more than willing to be there for Lex. Jimmy doesn’t seem too convinced. Oh, Lex, you magnificent bastard you.


Kent barn loft: Yay! Another Clark and Chloe convo. Chloe sits on the couch as Clark paces. She asks if Kara is trying to contact Clark via the Fortress from Krypton – the planet that exploded. Clark says that it sounds crazy but Jor-El must have done something to her. Okay, why would Clark think it’s Jor-El? Kara left with Brainiac! Chloe replies that Kara left with Brainiac; what does Jor-El have to do with anything. Thank you! Clark asks how the message could come through the Fortress. Looking at the satellite images, Chloe asks if Clark has considered the possibility that Kara is on Krypton. And it’s just a different time zone. Like the past. Like time travel, says Clark. Chloe hands Clark the satellite images. She says that she followed the trajectory of two blurs that started from the DP roof. She asks what if the vortex they are flying through is some sort of intergalactic time portal. Clark notes that it looks like a red star. And Chloe adds that next to it could be a planet, Krypton. Chloe shows Clark a picture taken seconds later. It shows the vortex is closed and the red star is gone. Clark thinks it’s possible. He says that Kara’s on Krypton and Chloe adds that it’s Krypton in 1989. Clark realizes that that’s how Kara’s message appeared in Swann’s journal. She sent it to him hoping Clark would read it. Clark says that in the Fortress, Kara warned him that Brainiac was trying to kill him. Clark thinks it’s the version of him on Krypton twenty years ago when he was a baby. Chloe says that if he’s really in trouble on Krypton, he needs to find a way to get there soon or... he’ll have never existed, finishes Clark. Chloe says that it’s time for Kal-El to go home.